Those of us who attended the California Federation of Teachers Convention last month came away inspired and energized to continue the work that our statewide union has accomplished. We were reminded that both CFT and the Guild have been instrumental in improving the lives of faculty statewide and have strengthened our schools and colleges for the students and communities we serve.
Among these successes are:
- Implementing collective bargaining for the public sector (1976)
- Fighting back against bad decisions by Boards of Trustees and becoming politically aware and active by supporting trustee candidates who share our values (1986)
- Improving STRS benefits through legislation and elected representation on the STRS Board
- Increasing funding for public education through our advocacy (Prop 98, Prop 25, Prop 30, and Prop 55)
- Fighting the rogue accreditation agency, the ACCJC, leading to its reform (2016)
- In line with the Guild’s history of “thinking big” and taking on the important issues of our time, we are working alongside the CFT to take on the increasing privatization of public education, fight for free college for Californians, and help for those drowning in student debt.
Your voice makes us stronger. Join us in our fight.
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In Unity,
Joanne Waddell
AFT 1521 President
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Local 1521 Delegates at the CFT Convention
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CFT Convention Highlights
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Over 50 AFT 1521 members were among the nearly 500 delegates and 200 visitors and staff who attended the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) Convention at the downtown L.A. Biltmore Hotel March 22-24. This year’s convention celebrated the 100
th
anniversary of the statewide union.
A sign at a W. Virginia strike summed up the feeling of power at the Convention: “I’m a snowflake but together we’re an avalanche.”
At the opening general session, Guild President Joanne Waddell, in her capacity as a CFT Vice President and co-chair of the Convention, introduced Julia Bogany, a representative of the Tongva Nation, on whose ancestral land the hotel is situated.
Labor scholar and author
Bill Fletcher Jr. addressed the gathering with dire predictions but a way forward. “We’re in trouble for a host of reasons,” he said. “Two forces are trying to destroy us – right wing populists (the herpes of capitalism) and those who would eliminate the public sector. We’re moving in a dangerous direction – environmental disaster, civil conflict that’s racist, misogynist, and anti-Semitic. We need to be part of a movement for the future to save the planet and save jobs. We need a new labor movement.”
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Faculty Issue Vote of No Confidence in State Chancellor
Citing a lack of transparency and failure to engage in collegial consultation with faculty stakeholder groups, the CFT approved a vote of no confidence in State Chancellor Eloy Oakley. Faculty leaders cited two reasons:
- His establishment of a statewide online college, which competes with many of the online programs of California’s community colleges
- The adoption of a new community college funding model, known as the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF), passed by the state legislature in 2018 as part of state budget negotiations
The new funding formula allocates about half of the dollars allocated to be split between providing districts with additional support for low-income students and rewarding districts based on the number of degrees and certificates they award.
Many educators in the state are not happy about it. Calling it “a hot mess,” Community College Council President
Jim Mahler
said “We fought it all the way – no legislators were in favor of it. The Governor, with input from State Chancellor Eloy Oakley, put it in place to get the budget passed.” According to Mahler, groups like the Lumina Foundation and the Gates Foundation were behind it. “Faculty stakeholders weren’t included.”
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LACCD Creates LGBTQ Advisory Group
With the goal of making our colleges more responsive to the needs of LGBTQ students, faculty and staff, the LACCD Board of Trustees has established an LGBTQ Advisory Group.
The group held its first meeting on February 21. It was chaired by Trustee David Vela and attended by Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez; Eddie Martinez, Executive Director of the Latino Equity Alliance; AFT 1521 Executive Vice President William Elarton-Selig, and representatives of other LACCD employee groups.
“They will meet routinely to advance and strengthen services to the LGBTQ community at all of our nine campuses,” Trustee Vela said. “We want to let all students know that we are here to help them achieve their educational goals and aspirations.”
"It was an honor to represent the LACCD faculty on this committee,” added Elarton-Selig. “Faculty have always been a very inclusive group and we will continue to do what is necessary for all our students, no matter what their backgrounds or current life circumstances might be."
The Feb. 21 meeting opened the door to future discussions about potential policies and practices that will support the LGBTQ community and the establishment of partnerships between the District and the LGBTQ community, including increased access to the colleges, bolstered financial aid opportunities, and enhanced student support services. Discussion also included strategizing on state and federal policy advocacy that the District might sponsor and support.
The LACCD has estimated that approximately 10,000 self-identified LGBTQ students are enrolled at our colleges.
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Guild Organizing Director Mo Menon and Guild President Joanne Waddell receive an organizing award from outgoing CFT President Josh Pechthalt and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes.
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Guild Captures Awards at CFT Convention
The Guild won a membership organizing award for signing up 270 new members this past year.
AFT 1521 also won several communications awards for locals of over 500 members:
- 1st place for Best Feature Writing - “A Mighty Force: Internship Program Educates, Strengthens”
- 1st place for Best Electronic Newsletter - Real News
- 2nd place for Best News Writing - “Retirement & Benefits Conference a Big Hit”
- 3rd place for Best Website - www.aft1521.org
- 3rd place for Best 1- 4 Page Newsletter - Read On
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Scholarships Available! Tell Your Students!
AFT 1521 is offering several $1,000 scholarships to students who meet the criteria. The deadline for applying is Friday, April 29. The awards are funded by the Guild’s allocation to Good & Welfare and by contributions to the AFT Foundation and endowed scholarships established by the families of former Guild activists.
For information and applications, go to
www.aft1521.org
and click on the Scholarships tab.
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Motions Passed
Motions Passed by the Guild Executive Board February 19, 2019
By March 1, all chapter presidents will ask their contacts in campus Academic Affairs to provide a list of faculty by departments for Spring 2019 for the Guild Organizing Director to generate accurate membership numbers for the Executive Board.
Chapter Presidents will forward the Organizing Director copies of meeting sign in sheets to facilitate tracking of membership participation.
Contribute $2,500 to Connie Leyva for the 20
th
Senate District
Contribute $1,100 to Jackie Goldberg for LAUSD Board
District 5.
Contribute $1,500 to Miguel Santiago for his 2020 reelection campaign to the State Assembly.
Co-sponsor David Chiu’s bill for $5 million ($25,000 per college) for emergency funding for community college students.
Issued a vote of no confidence in Board Member Scott Svonkin.
Approved advocacy issues for Spring 2019:
- Modify new student-centered funding formula.
- Increase student financial aid.
- Funding to hire more full-time faculty.
- Increase funding base by reforming Prop 13,
- Support Governor Newsom’s proposal to put more money ($5.8 billion) into STRS.
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